Tag Archives: Karen Lovely

November 5, 2011

2011 Blues Blast Music Awards

The October LRBC was not the only thing going on the final weekend of October. In Chicago at Buddy Guy’s Legends they held the Blues Blast Music Awards.

These awards are voted on by the fans and then handed out in a gala event put on by BluesBlast Magazine. I so wanted to be there – but as luck would have it my good buddy Kurt Foor of Friends of the Blues was there and he send us this report and has tons of photos on the Friends of the Blues site on Facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-The-Blues/189482004399270?ref=ts.
They can also be found on Twitter @friendsofblues please be sure to check them out and support them.
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All the performers did an outstanding job, as members of The Vincent Hayes Project backing up Peter Parcek was exceptional for me as was their own performance. Sharrie Williams performing with Tony Rogers and Bob Corritore was very nice and getting to see our  good Friends The Sugar Prophets play at Buddy Guys during the Blues Blast was a special treat for our Friends.

Matt Hill’s band had the Cougars swooning (no offense ladies) Other good Friends The Reba Russell Band opened up the Blues Blast Music Awards show as WGLT.org carried the show live via the Internet uncensored!

Another more than worthy performance for me was Rob Blaine’s Big Otis Blues whom I had not seen until the BBMAs and am looking forward to checking them out again somewhere soon. There were so many talented artists performing, they all deserve big kudos for being so approachable to their fans! All the ladies performed first, Reba, Sharrie, Gina Sicilia, Karen Lovely then Teeny Tucker. Vizztone artists The Chris O’leary Band has lots of huge talent and always is a favorite of mine. Jonn Del Toro Richardson with Rich Del Grosso’s set was so very cool!

Tom Hambridge and Marty Sammons of Buddy Guy’s Band were right on spot. Tom is a great writer and producer! Nick Moss’ band treated us to outstanding tunes from his upcoming CD, “Here I Am” to be released Nov. 22nd. Another of our Friends Of The Blues favorites was Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys (Great name for a band huh)!

Dave Riley and Bob Corritore doin’ their thing are always aspecial treat to see get together as was Eddie Turner whom I had not previously seen perform! Oh, I guess I should mention that the man himself, Mr. Buddy Guy, did his thing and had the house’s full attention during his set and when he asks for a drink it is in hand pronto! Nick Schnebelen was joined by Laura Chavez, Dave Gross on drums and our host Bob Kieser’s eldest son Karl Kieser on bass for the jam at the program’s end.

Special thanks need to go out to Blues Blast Magazine’s publisher Bob Kieser and his wonderful kids, Karl, Nate & Whitney for putting on a fantastic event for the Blues community. The evenings Sponsors, staff at Buddy Guy’s, WGLT Radio and everyone involved deserve a huge hand for a job well done. I am looking forward to the 2012 Blues Blast Music Awards already!

Kurt Foor

You can see complete list of winners here http://www.illinoisblues.com/winners2011.htm.

Artists check them out as you can send eligible releases to them for consideration, definately a thing to do ! Fans sign up to receive weekly update with interviews, CD reviews, and festivals for free from BluesBlast.

 

Until next time,
Love, Peace & Chicken Grease
chefjimi
©Blues411.com 2011
photos: Kurt Foor (Friends of the Blues)

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September 5, 2011

One Year Anniversary – Thank You One And All

It is just over a year ago that Blues411 came into this ethereal world of Internet sites. Man, it has been more than I ever expected. The actual date of first going live was September 7, 2010.

After writing at various sites, pubs and self published blogs, I decided to take this newly found passion to the next level, and put myself out there with a concerted effort and to try and establish a presence in the field.  Not being sure where to begin we toyed with the naming of the site. Not too cutesy, not to personal, and not too staid. I found that Blues411 was available and it seemed to fit rather nicely with what I had intended to provide – a place for Blues information – a good sign !

I was in the very early stages of development when Ms. Janiva Magness heard of my efforts and suggested that I write about Ms. Robin Rogers, who was terminally ill at the time. Well when the ‘hot line’ phone rings you best answer it and get to doing as asked. Thank you Janiva, you supported me in the effort to provide a look at Robin through the eyes and hearts of friends, fellow artists, and those close to her. Thank you also to Tony & Robin Rogers who approved of this venture and to those of you who assisted me by giving the gift of your time. This was actually the second piece to appear the first was a discussion about what are the Blues. Since that was self-penned, I consider the Robin Rogers piece my first actual ‘story’ since I had to speak with people and do the ‘cub reporter’ thing to get it done.

The next big event was interviewing Mr. George Thorogood, what a charmer! We had a blast talking, as you can tell by reading the interview, and we shared many tasty bits that made it so special to me and hopefully to all of you.  After that Ms. Karen Lovely allowed us to talk to her (at that point she had just released her second CD,  ‘Still The Rain’ and it was climbing the charts, we spoke about the road to success and how one measures it. We ended the conversation with a proclamation that she would be nominated for a Blues Music Award, which she did, by golly ! Congrats Karen and thank you for your friendship. The same occured when Vincent Hayes (Vincent Hayes Project) stopped by to chat and I was so thrilled with his ‘Reclamation’ release that I told him I smelled a BMA nomination, and that happened also, great work Vincent – all nominees are winners !

One of the most influential events was my first Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise in 2008. That set me off into the Blues Framily (Friends + Family combined) and events around the October 2010 cruise dominated my writings for that month.  In December we began the inaugural ‘Blues411 Awards’, a friendly shout out to all the artists who worked so hard during the year giving us music to enjoy – our way of saying thanks (look for again it this December).  A special shout out to Roger Nabor and all my cruiser friends from the LRBC for their support and special way of looking at things.

Without boring you with a blow-by-blow of what occurred, let me just say it has been a tremendous first year. The reception and responses I have received has been waaaay beyond anything I had ever thought possible. Artists, fans, friends, strangers (just friends I haven’t met yet) have lifted me to my own little Blues heaven. I thank each and every one of you.  Thanks to the artists for taking the time to share with us their thoughts, feelings and insights. Thanks to Bill Wax and Sirius/XM Bluesville  70 for the Picks to Click listings each week (and to Tony Colter for promoting it on air). This has become a wonderful addition to the site where artists and fans can keep up with the latest discs spinning on B.B. King’s Bluesville. Thanks to Mark Pucci, of Mark Pucci Media for believing in this site and providing us with new releases for review. To Betsie Brown of Blind Raccoon, and the many other promoters, record labels, independants and artists for including Blues411 in the distribution channel as well.

I can go on ad nauseum, but you know that if I have not mentioned you personally I have and still do thank you for your inclusion into this world.  One last big assed Blues thank you to my wife, best friend and partner in crime, Leslie Joseph for allowing me to pursue this dream and being so supportive of me. Oh yeh her photography skills are such an important part of this site. Like they say a picture is worth a thousand words – or in my case two thousand (thanks Lucky) !

Looking forward to more interviews, reports, reviews and goodness knows what else, see ya’ll after the knee scope (9/6) and if I’m straight enough I’ll give ya a shout out on Facebook where I can be found updating and posting just about all the time.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blues411/106980716027973

 

Until next time,
Love, Peace & Chicken Grease
chefjimi
©Blues411.com 2011
photos: Courtesy of Leslie K. Joseph

PS:  thanks to Polly’s in Memphis for the Love, Peace & Chicken Grease !

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May 16, 2011

Amuse Bouche – 32nd Blues Music Awards

Those of you who are familair with my writings migjht remember a little over a year ago when I first put fingers to keyboard to capture my experiences at the Blues Music Awards. Well I’m at it again. With these little snippets or ‘amuse bouches’ (happy mouths in French Culinary terms) I will give you the opportunity to read and hopefully ‘see’ some of the action that went on at the 32nd Blues Music Awards in Memphis. This is by no means a fully fledged account of what went on but more of being at a moment in time and holding on to it and giving it to you to read.

So here we go . . . .

The array of talented musicians all located in one place, it is almost, I say almost, an overload situation. Actually I might have hit the overload button Thursday night while standing outside the main room when Scott Burnett walked over and said hi to me and I totally blanked on who he was. I’ve known Scotty for about four years, see what I’m saying.

Speaking of Scotty, during one of the frequent stints in the hotel bar, I look over and see Scotty’s boss-man, Captain Roger Naber, busy working on his computer while seated on a bar stool in the corner. He was busy working on calming the turbulent waters surrounding the LRBC’s decision to move the October cruise to Puerto Rico – as opposed to it being a West Coast Cruise. A few words of encouragement and I hi-tailed it outta there. Roger works hard on getting the best for these cruises and this proved it once again.

About 1,600 blues fans just being themselves all week long !

The ‘peacocks’ in all their fine attire, and the lovely ladies.

The opportunity to re-connect with Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges, who was nominated in two categories this year, Soul Blues Album (Solomon Burke) and Soul Blues Artist (Solomon Burke). Eugene enthralled us with his story on flying to the USA from Australia and driving from Texas to Memphis, complete with police stops and camera assisted speed documentation to prove he was NOT driving over the limit, right on bro ! Later that night Mr. Bridges showed the audience why he was nominated in two categories !

The often strange but always funny ‘secret calls’ between musician’s who have used them to identify each other in crowded venues and rooms. Quite similar to those ‘cool high fives’ that athletes use – each different yet each one specifically tailored to match their personalities.

The overwhelming and palpable excitement from the ‘new kids on the block’ such as Karen Lovely, The Vincent Hayes Project, The Chris O’Leary Band and others who made it here for the first time and were floored by the whole experience.

OK, so just to prove that last statement Vincent Hayes texted me “I just met Robert Cray !” Karen Lovely and Lori Haynes commenting on how they (we all) are fans first, and how they felt they were walking on a cloud or in a dream of sorts. Karen later at the Awards performance just blowing the roof off the convention center at 1:30 in the morning to a thinned out crowd.

The pre-party which featured Eden Brent, Chris O’Leary Band, and The Vincent Hayes Project – the tone was set for the night !

Steve Miller opening the ‘official’ portion of the awards, and being so perfect it could have been a recording.

Mr. Eddie Turner being, Eddie Turner.

Tony Colter being the ultimate professional – working the live feed broadcast back to listeners and being spot on. I have heard nothing but praise for your efforts!

Rick Estrin displaying ‘hand’s free’ harmonica, while being accompanied by the smooth Kirk Fletcher on guitar. Y’all gonna have to buy the DVD to see this baby !

The tribute for Robert Johnson’s 100th Birthday and his son and family being there to share with us.

Reba Russell and band just ripping us out of our seats with what was one of the hottest sets of the night. You go girl !

Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith being just the most humble and sweet man.

Buddy Guy being — Buddy Guy !

Buddy being genuinely touched by each of his five awards.

A rumour being circulated that the new name for the BMA’s will be the Buddy Music Awards.

The Janiva Magness Band along with Tony Rogers playing ‘The Plan’.

A roomful of tears (both sorrow and joy) for Robin Roger’s winning Best Female Vocalist and Tony’s speech. Also for the other sweet and graciousfemale artists who promoted voting for Robin during their shows. Thank you ladies, the spirit lives within you all.

Buddy Guy telling us he was gonna play us something so funky that we could taste it ! And then doing just that !

The professionalism of Janiva Magness shining through when her mic was not working – her singing over the band so we could hear her and then burning a spot in our souls when the mic came back to life.

Bob Corritore winning the award for Historical Album (Harmoinica Blues), and all the work he has done over the years. SWEET !

Derek Trucks doing stand-up comedy – who knew !

The Nighthawks FINALLY winning a BMA for Acoustic Album with their ‘Last Train To Bluesville’ release.

Mitch Woods unscheduled ‘sex-change’ and the reinstatement of his ‘hood as he cranked out some fine boogie woogie piano.

Candye Kane in a stunning blue and yellow Kewpie doll outfit, insuring that no one else would be wearing the same outfit, as had happened once before.

Mr. John Hammond, following up Buddy Guy’s set, armed with an acoustic guitar and his voice, just calming and quieting the crowd with one helluva outstanding performance. I am not sure anyone else could have done it, cos Buddy’s set was killah. Did I mention John winning the Award for Best Acoustic Artist.

Matt Hill – Best New Artist – creating havoc with the final performance of the long night. Not only wining over the crowd but he had the ladies in the palm of his hand !

Until next time,
Love, Peace & Chicken Grease,
chefjimi

photos: courtesy of  Leslie K. Joseph, Aigars Lapsa.

I would like to thank Aigars for sharing his photos with us on Blues411, to see more photos from Aigars please visit:  http://www.aigarsphoto.com/
To read earlier interview with Karen Lovely visit: http://blues411.com/?p=299
To read interview with Vincent Hayes click: http://blues411.com/?p=1204
both of these interviews were conducted before the BMA’s were even announced, read about how we called it back then for these two amazing artists who were nominated for BMA’s.

©Blues411.com 2011

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